Who we are
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, founded in 1895, is an unincorporated association with charitable status (Scottish Charity No SC002507). The Society has branches in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth, St Andrews and Stirling.
The Society works in collaboration with the Alliance Française de Glasgow and the Institut Français in Edinburgh; we have maintained close links with the Association Franco-Écossaise in Paris since its foundation in 1896.
Honorary Presidents
H.E. The French Ambassador
Rt Hon Sir David Edward KCMG PC KC
Rt Hon Lord Brodie PC KC
National Office Bearers 2026-2027
President: Professor Lorna Milne
Vice-President: Ms Elspeth Hough
General Secretary: Professor Philip Bennett
General Treasurer: Mr George MacBride
What we want to achieve
From its foundation the Society has aimed to foster contacts between the French and the Scots, develop their traditional friendship in the spirit of the Auld Alliance and promote the study of the French language and culture in Scotland. We continue to pursue these objectives today, believing that Franco-Scottish relations are as important in a globalised world as they have ever been.
Membership benefits
Our six branches each offer opportunities for members to enjoy practising their skills in French, extending their knowledge of life in France and of French culture, and taking part in cultural and social activities.
Each branch offers a regular programme of talks and presentations in French on topics drawn from French life, history, literature and culture. Some branches provide members with opportunities to take part in regular French conversation and discussion groups, whatever their level of language. Branches also organise social activities (e.g. lunches to mark Christmas or 14th July) and occasional musical performances.
Where geography allows, local branch members can enjoy access to membership benefits of the Institut français d’Écosse in Edinburgh or the Alliance française in Glasgow.
The Society organises occasional national lectures, conferences and musical events.
The National Secretary and the Branch Secretaries are happy to answer enquiries.
- To obtain details of branch activities or information please look at the relevant branch page in this website.
- If you’d like information about becoming a member, you can use the contact details on the branch page or you can use our Contact Form, mentioning where you live.
- For all other information, please use our Contact Form.
Promoting the learning of French
The Society has a particularly strong record with regards to education. At the national level the Society provides support for the Learning Programme of the French Film Festival UK and for the Concours de la Francophonie, a national competition, organised by the Institut français d’Écosse, open to all schools in Scotland. The Society sponsors the annual Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize, which offers Advanced Higher French candidates an opportunity to showcase their French writing skills; another prize is awarded annually to the highest-achieving Advanced Higher French candidate. Through local branches students of French and schools can apply for small bursaries from the Alexander Gray Trust to enhance the experience of learning French. The national Society works closely with the Institut français d’Écosse in Edinburgh and the Alliance française in Glasgow.